Electric call system.



J. W. WILSON & WIH. STILL. ELECTRIC CALL SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED MAILZB, 1907.

1,021,713. Patented Mar. 26, 1912.

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COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH co., WASHING-r2201, n. c.

Patented Mar. 26, 1912..

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ELECTRIC GALL SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED MAR-28, 1907.

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I ELECTRIC cALL SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED MAB. 26,1907.

Patented Ma1'226, 1912.

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J. W. WILSON & W;- H- STILL.- ELECTRIC CALL SYSTEM. AIfPLIOAT ION FILED MAL-28,1907.

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Patented Mar. 26,1912.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES W. WILSON, OF ROME, AND WILLIAM H. STILL, 0F UTICA, NEW YORK; SAID STILL ASSIGNOR TO SAID WILSON.

ELECTRIC CALL SYSTEM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 26, 1912.

Application filed March 28, 1907. Serial 110,365,176.

State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electric Call Systems, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing.

Our invention relates to an improved electric call device, and we declare that the following is a full, clear, concise and exact description thereof, sufficient to enable one skilled in the art to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings in which like letters and numerals refer to like parts throughout.

lVhile. we designate the invention as consisting of an electric call device, it is intended for use in conjunction with telephone and fire alarm devices combined into a single system, its parts united and operating on a set of batteries and circuits to provide for hotels and similar places a complots and convenient system of meeting the various demands for ready communication between the office or central station and different sub-stations or rooms, and communication between the rooms of such a building and with outside stations. The latter devices having been withdrawn for purposes of division, the drawings and specification here show the calling devices only but with the means which we provide for coupling the telephone appliances in the part of the entire system here shown.

We illustrate the invention in one form,

laid out in diagrammatic form since it will be readily understood by persons skilled in the art how the various instruments should most conveniently be arranged, and that the different parts of the apparatus are to be conveniently mounted and connected by means well understood in the art. 7

6 being a view of itfrom one end, and Fig. 7 a like view from the other end. Fig. 8 is a bottom View of the same. Fig. 9 is a View from the opposite side from Fig. 6.

It will be understood that the parts of the apparatus which are at the office or main station are to be suitably mounted in a case -Wl'll0l1, though not shown, will be readily understood as being of suitable form, with the proper appliances being readily provided by anyone skilled 'in the art to which the invention applies.

It will be understood that B refers in a general way to the necessary base or support for the several parts of the apparatus, which will also be readily provided and arranged as needful and fitting.

One portion of the device comprises mechanisms by which a call can be communicated from the central office to a given station or room at a predetermined hour by the insertion of a pin in the surface of a revolving cylinder, various means being provided to turn the cylinder and accomplish the purposes specified. A conductive cylinder 1 is suitably mountedon conductive supports B. The cylinder is pierced with aseries .of holes arranged longitudinally of the cylinder and grouped in rows of four, the groups extending around the periphery of the cylinder. The rows are arranged in groups of four to indicate the quarter divisions of the hour, the space between the groups dividing the periphery of the cylinder into divisions representing the hours. ,The lines of holes around the cylinder represent the several rooms or stations which may be identified by numbers to be placed in the spaces between the groups, arranged in series, as from 1 to 10 and from 11 to 20 asindicated in the drawings. One of these lines may represent the clerks desk or a special line may be placed for his use to provide a call bell for his own appointments. At one end, the cylinder is numbered around its periphery to indicate the hours and divisions, to correspondwith the several rows of holes, so that each line of holes around the cylinder represents a certain room and each hole in that line represents a given time, corresponding to that marked opposite iton the periphery. Pins 2, of conductive material, are provided to be inserted at desired points in the cylinder, to contact, in the turning of the cylinder, at a Ill) predetermined time, with the corresponding one of a series of conductive springs 3, one for each station, mounted adjacent the cylinder on a non-conductive plate or strip 3.

A shaft is provided to support the cylinder and the connected motor parts on base B, the shaft supporting the latter being shown as at while 1 denotes the shaft which carries the cylinder, the one being bored to receive the end of the other which is correspondingly reduced. The shaft 43 has at its outer end a loose knob 21, with a collar 21 on its hub and a slot 21 to register with pin 21 in shaft 4*. A spring 22 bears against the collar 21 and normally holds the knob free of the slot and pin connection, in such position contacting with current wire 30 to carry the current through the cylinder, as seen in Fig. 2. The purpose of this connection is to permit the operator to turn the cylinder freely for inserting a pin for a call at any hour, which is done by slipping the knob into engagement with the shaftand thereby breaking the circuit. On the other end of the cylinder is a stud 23 and a corresponding stud 24 is on the notched wheel (to be described), the latter being back of the former so that the revolution of the wheel in the direction indicated turns the cylinder, but the cylinder may be given practically a full turn ahead of the wheel for the purpose described, and then returned to contact position with the wheel. Fixed on shaft at is a notched wheel 5, supporting make and break springs 6 and 7 whichalternate in closing electric circuits.

Observing the side plan of the wheel, Fig.

1 8, it is seen that there is a notch with one edge sloping rearward as the wheel turns. The wheel is so made that an electric circuit may be made through one or the other of springs 6 and 7 when it rests on the periphery of the wheel but not when it is off such periphery or in one of the notches, but the spring is brought from such position into that of renewed circuit by revolution of the cylinder. The circuit is through the spring and the wire shown above it. The tips of the springs are a certain distance apart, an aliquot part of the distance around the wheel. From one edge to the other of each notch is substantially the same aliquot part, but each enough less than the distance between the tips of the springs to insure that not both springs are so far in the notch at the same time that neither is ready to act in an electric circuit, or preferably the tips of the springs may be spaced slightly more than such aliquot part. The distance between the notches is substantially also the same aliquot part or double it. The shorter of the peripheral surfaces and the space on each side of it form a group equal to three of the aliquot parts and represent the distance the cylinder is to be turned for the first three-quarters of the hour and the long space represents the distance from the quarter before the hour point to the hour point and the further distance necessary to turn the cylinder through the space separating the rows of holes longitudinal of the cylinder.

In the position shown in Fig. 3 spring 6 is in contact and when the hands of the clock parts (to be described) are about showing quarter past, the clock parts make a circuit through spring 6 which operates a motor and turns the cylinder and wheel so that spring 6 drops into the notch, breaking contact with the wire above it. That turn brings the cylinder parts into place to issue a call at 7:15, for instance. That turn of the cylinder and wheel has lifted spring 7 on' the periphery and into contact with the wire above it and at the end of another quarter hour a circuit passes through that spring, turns the cylinder correspondingly and issues a call at say 7 :30. That turn disconnects 7 and brings spring 6 on the same periphery and into contact and after another quarter it is in a circuit which turns the cylinder and issues a call at 7 :45. This turn of the cylinder puts spring 7 on the long face and at about the hour its circuit acts, issues a call at 8:00 oclock and turns the cylinder the same distance as before and more because such a turn is not enough to put spring 7 out of contact. The motor continues its action until the spring is out of contact which turns the cylinder to bring the new series of holes and pins into place. The cylinder is turned by means of gears in the frame B and shown by a, b, 0, (Z, 6, f and g, respectively, their direction of revolution being indicated by arrows. The wheel .9 is notched, and there is suitably mounted on the frame a spring dog 9 which holds it from back movement. On the shaft 9, on which gear 9 revolves, is pivotally mounted swinging arm 8 having at its end an annature 9 and carrying a spring latch 10. A spring and adjusting screw 11 are provided to retract the arm 8 from the magnet 12. Below the arm 8 is a switch 13 which is opened by the swing of the armature to the magnet. A master clock is provided to control the periods of operation of this device, on the minute shaft 14, of which is mounted a cam 15. Spring contacts 16 and 16 are provided at quadrant points which are alternately closed by the cams, one in each fifteen minutes. From each of these springs a circuit is carried to springs 6 and 7 operative through the one which is positioned, in the arrangement of parts, to act in the circuit.

The circuit revolving the cylinder is as follows: batteries G, wire 16, spring 16*, (16 wire 17, (17 spring 6, (7), wire 18,- spring 13, Wire 19, magnet 12, Wire 20,

batteries G. This current excites the magnet which attracts armature 9 on the arm 8 swinging it and turning the gears until the arm 8 breaks the contact of spring 13, when the arm is released and swings back. This operation is repeated until the gears turn the cylinder a distance representing a quarter of an hour. Should the cylinder be in such position that one of the springs 6 or 7 is on the long surface between the notches the operation is repeated until the spring is passed off such surface and the cylinder is turned to pass the space between the groups. The revolution of the cylinder brings one of the pins 2, placed in the line appropriated to a particular room and in the row identified with the hour at which the call is to be issued, into contact with the spring 3 adjacent said line thereby creating a circuit through the wire attached to spring 3 and here shown as 31 and through a callbell M located in the room corresponding to the spring 3 and its related line of holes.

The circuit which rings the call-bell is as follows: battery E, wire 28, spring 29 (when closed), wire 30, cylinder 1, spring 3, wire 31, spring 32, wire 33, jack spring 34, wire 35, hook 36, bell M (a telephone bell M with a receiver thereon), ground G, ground G battery E. This rings the bell at the station or room, it being a bell which can be used for telephone purposes, and the ringing continues until the circuit is broken by the occupant of the room pressing down button 37. "The jackspring is shown on the line between the cylinder and the bell, to show how we employ the same line and other parts for telephonic purposes. The ringing is intermittent, but the occupant by pressing down the button 37 closes a circuit as follows: ground G spring 38, wire 39, jack spring 40, wire 41, annunciator drop A, wire 42, wire 43,

bell M (at desk), wire 43*, batteries C,

ground G and ground G The annunciator drop A opens spring 32 and breaks the call circuit. The showing of the annunciator in the diagrammatic view is general, the details being shown in particular figures.

Since the cylinder remains in one position until the next action of the motor, which is fifteen minutes, we provide a device for making the ringing intermittent and for discontinuing it. It will be noted that the life of the current through spring 29 depends on the closed condition of that spring and the devices now to be described are constructed to close the spring periodically, it

i being normally open. On the minute hand of the master clock is mounted the gear Wheel 44 and which makes the same revolution as the cam wheel 15. Meshing with gear 44 is pinion 45, which by the revolution of gear 44 makes a complete revolution in fifteen minutes. Attached to it is insulated disk 46 and on the periphery are conductive plates 47, suitably connected and which are charged by a brush or spring on the adjacent end of battery wire 16. Resting on the periphery of disk 46 are springs 48 and 48 so positioned that asone is about coming in contact with a conductive plate 47 the other is just entering the non-conductive space between the plates. These plates are spaced a distance equal to twenty seconds and are each of like length, so that the call bell rings thus intermittently such length of time during such period of fifteen minutes as may be desired according to the number of disk 46.

We provide magnets 49 and 50 with a standard 51 between them, on the top of which is pivoted armature 52 of inverted T-form, adapted to contact with the magnets alternately. A spring 53 extends from the top of the armature to the standard 51 which assists in drawing down the armature on each side alternately and holds the armature when drawn down. When the spring 48 is in contact with a plate 47 the circuit is as follows: batteries G, wire 16,

48 is broken at once on the swing over the armature, the spring holding the latter in place to hold spring 29 closed until the reverse action takes place. The bell rings until spring 48 contacts with a plate 47, which establishes the following circuit: batteries Gr, wire 16, contact 47, spring 48 wire 59, magnet 50, wire 60, contact 58, armature 52, standard 51, wire 57, batteries G. This vitalizes magnet 50 and draws the armature 52 to it which opens spring contact 29 and breaks theringing circuit, the armature 52 being then in contact with 56 for the next employment of spring 48 to close the ringing circuit.

ire 61 is in a circuit through the call cylinder to the clerks desk, for special uses such as to advise him of appointments at a given hour, &c., the circuit being through a plug 2 in a row of holes on the cylinder for one of the unused rooms or through a special line of holes on the cylinder. The wire 61 may be provided with detachable means to connect it with any of the springs. The circuit is as follows: batteries E, wire 28, spring 29, wire 30, cylinder 1, spring 3, wire 61, bellor buzzer M (at clerks desk), ground G ground G batteries E. Wire (33 is in a circuit through another room or station at bell M the circuit being as follows: batteries E, wire 28, spring 29, wire 30, cylinder 1, spring 3, wire 63, spring 64, wire 65, jackspring (36, wire 67, hook 68 (provided with receiver as in the other case), bell M ground G, ground G batteries E. This circuit is provided with jacksprings as in case of the other room-cir cuit in illustration of the telephone con nections of the system. The ringing of bell h 2 may be discontinued by the guest pressing button 97, as in case of hell M, which closes the following circuit: ground G spring 97 wire 96, jack-spring 96 wire 96, annunciator A (breaking the call circuit at 64), wire 43, bell M (at desk), wire 1-3, batteries C, ground G ground G The annunciator has merely been indicated in the figures diagrammatically but will now be described in detail with reference to Figs. 5 to 9. The mechanism comprises a coil magnet 2' supported on a frame j and having an arm K extending over the coil and pivotally supporting at its outer end the armature Z. The coil is connected with the wires in the circuit, for instance, 41 and 42. The frame j extends beyond the coil and pivotally supports an annunciator plate or drop m. The drop and the armature are connected by link a so that the swing of the armature to the coil-magnet raises the drop to display the number on its face. The armature is so hung as naturally to swing from the coil and lower the plate and a stop m is provided to limit the up swing of the plate. The spring which has been referred to by number 32 is mounted on the frame It is comprised of two insulated spring strips 0 and 0 on one of which annunciator drop m rests when down, pressing it against the other and making the circuit. In the ringing circuit wire 31 is connected to one of the strips and wire 33 to the other. hen button 37 is pressed down in response to the call of the ringing circuit, a circuit is closed which passes through wire 39, spring 40, wire -11, annunciator A, wire 42 and thence on as stated, and which draws armature Z to the coil and raises drop m. This releases the upper spring-strip 0 which breaks the call circuit. As the release of the button 37 will at once break the circuit by which the drop is held up, we provide a secondary current looped in on wire 42 and of enough. strength to keep the plate up until the circuit is broken at the desk, by opening a switch in that circuit. A light wire 22 is wound in the coil, one end being connected with insulated clip Q mounted on the frame and with which the armature mounting contacts when drawn to the magnet. The other end of the wire, 29, passes from the coil to battery H and thence by wire 79 through switch It back to frame so that a circuit is established from battery H, wire p, switch it, frame 7', armature mounting contacting with clip (1, clip q, wire p, coil '21, wire 7), battery H, magnetizing the coil enough to hold the armature and keep the plate m up until the circuit is broken by switch or button h at the desk.

Having described our invention, what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In a system of the character described, a motor, a clock and an electric circuit, a call cylinder, means connected with the clock to close the circuit to move the motor and cylinder at periodic intervals and means connected with the motor to govern the extent of the operation of the cylinder, substantially as described.

2. In a system of the character described, a clock, a motor, an electric circuit having a plurality of switches at the clock and a plurality of switches at the motor, means connected with the clock for closing the adjacent switches alternately for a given period of time and means connected with the motor for opening the circuit from either clock switch independent of the action of the clock, substantially as described.

3. In a system of the character described, an electric circuit. from a clock to a motor, a second circuit from the clock to the motor adapted at each end to be switched into the main circuit, a clock, mechanism therewith adapted to close-a switch in the main circuit and alternately therewith and periodically to switch the second wire into the circuit, a motor, means thereon to close a switch in the main circuit and alternately therewith and periodically to switch the second wire into the circuit, and said switches, substantially as described.

at. In a system of the character described, a clock mechanism, a motor, a circuit con nected with each, means in the clock mechanism for closing one of a pair of switches alternately, means in the motor mechanism for opening the circuit while closed at the clock mechanism, substantially as shown.

5. In a system of the character described, a call cylinder, a clock mechanism, a circuit therewith for turning the cylinder peri odically in the work of the clock and means for interrupting the circuit to determine the distance of the cylinder revolution, said means comprising a pair of spring switches alternately closed and opened by the revolution of the cylinder, substantially as described.

6. In a device of the character described, a. time mechanism having means to operate the device periodically, said means comprising revolving cams and a pair of circuitclosing members located substantially at quadrant points relative to the center of the connected therewith, a time mechanism wit-h means for closing the circuit periodically for a given length of time to cause the alarm to sound and means whereby to cease the alarm before the end of such closed period and to render it intermittent during its period, substantially as described.

9. In a device of the character described, the combination of call members, an electric circuit connected therewith to operate the same periodically, means inde endent of said circuit for opening and c osing said circuit during said periods intermittently, said. means comprising a rotating disk, contactors thereon and a vibrating means actuated from said contactors intermittently to close the said circuit, substantially asdescribed.

10. In a device of the character described,

an electric call-circuit adapted to be opened and closed intermittently and means for causing such action, said means consisting of a vibrating armature and means for actuating the same during a. given period, substantially as described. 1

11. In a device of the character described, the combination with an electric time-controlled call-circuit of means for making and breaking the same at a switch therein, said means comprising a rotating disk with contactsthereon, a vibrating armature and electric connections operative on contact thereof with said contacts to vibrate the armature, substantially as described.

12. In a device of the character described, the combination wit-h a time mechanism and an electric alarm-sounding members of means for interrupting and ending the action of such members, the same comprising two magnets, a swinging armature mounted to contact with the magnets alternately and an electric circuit with means therein to Vitalize the said magnets alternately, substantially as described.

13. In an automatic call system, the combination of an alarm apparatus including a motor and an electric call circuit, a clock mechanism timing the operation of the alarm apparatus and a regulating electric circuit operatively connected with the clock mechanism and having means therein to limit the duration of the alarm, substantially as described.

14,. In an automatic call system, the combination of an alarm apparatus including a motor and an electric call circuit, a clock mechanism timing the operation of the alarm apparatus and a regulating electric circuit operatively connected with the clock mechanism and having means therein severally to limit the duration of the alarm and to interrupt its action intermittently during such duration, substantially as described.

15. In an automatic call system, the combination of an alarm apparatus including a motor and an electric call circuit, a clock mechanism timing the operation of the alarm apparatus and a regulating electric circuit operatively connected with the clock mechanism and having means therein to interrupt the action of the alarm and render it intermittent, substantially as described.

16. In an automatic call system, the combination of an alarm circuit, a time mecha nism and means operative thereby and in engagement with the alarm circuit and intermittently making and breaking the same during a predetermined period, substantially as described.

17 In a time controlled device of the character described, a call interrupting dev1ce consisting of a revolving disk, a plurality of contactor plates thereon, conductive springs alternately engaging the plates-in succession, an electric circuit and a vibrating member actuated thereby from the said springs, substantially as described.

18. In a device of the character described, a call cylinder, an electrically operated motor for revolving the same, a timing mechanism controlling the action of the motor, the said motor comprising a wheel with a notched periphery, an electric circuit operating the motor, the said circuit comprising springs alternately contacting with the protuberances of said wheel whereby to rotate the cylinder at given times according to the arrangement of said protuberances, substantially as described.

19. In a device of the character described, a call cylinder, a motor operatively connected therewith, a notched wheel connected with the motor, an electric circuit adapted to operate the motor and having spring contacts on the said wheel whereby to break the said circuit and interrupt the rotating of the cylinder at times corresponding to the notches in the wheel, and a time device controlling the action of said motor, substantially as described.

20. In a device of the character described, a call cylinder having a notched wheel o-per atively connected therewith, the cylinder having means whereby to issue calls at given times and the wheel being provided with means whereby to rotate the same at periods corresponding to the call means of said cylinder, and a time mechanism controlling the action of the cylinder, substantially as described.

21. In a device of the character described, a time mechanism, a motor, call-mechanisms, an operating electric circuit and an alarm electric circuit, the latter having means to break the circuit at a given stat-ion, said means comprising an annunciator having a switch positioned to open the circuit by action of the annuneiator, substantially as described.

22. In a call device, the combination of a time device, a call circuit having alarm means connected therewith, a circuit having means therein whereby to break the former circuit and exhibit an annunciator drop, said drop and a secondary circuit connected therein whereby to maintain the said drop in View for a given period, substantially as described.

23. In a device of the character described, a time mechanism, a call mechanism, operated periodically thereby, a call circuit, a breaking circuit having means to break said circuit, said means comprising an annuneiator with an armature and a plate operatively connected, the plate normally serving to maintain the call circuit closed, but operative on closing of the breaking circuit to open the call circuit, substantially as described.

24. In a device of the character described, a time mechanism, a call mechanism, operated periodically thereby, a call circuit, a circuit having means to break said circuit, said means comprising an annunciator having connected therewith a spring switch in the call circuit and means normally holding said switch closed, the annunciator being adapted to display a plate on closing of the circuit there through, the said plate being mounted to swing automatically into place to close the said switch when released from magnetic influence, and a second circuit operatlve to maintain the plate in such position for a given period after the opening of said former circuit, substantially as described.

25. In an alarm system, the combination, with clock actuated alarm members, of an armature, the same while passive being in operative connection with the alarm-actuating members, and operative, in action, to interrupt the alarm-actuating members and means therewith independently to maintain it in action, and to interrupt its action, substantially as described.

26. In an electric circuit, the combination with clock-actuated alarm members, of an annunciator normally idle and keeping the circuit closed, a second circuit adapted to render the annunciator active and open the former circuit at the annuneiator, and a third circuit adapted to keep the annuneiator active after the breaking of the second circuit and having means for opening the third circuit, substantially as described.

27. The combination of a time controlled alarm circuit, an annuneiator, a releasing circuit with means to break the former circuit and display the annuneiator, and a third circuit adapted to keep the annuneiator in display and having means to break such circuit and release the annuneiator, substantially as described.

28. In a time-controlled alarm system of the character described, the combination with an annunciatona circuit through the annunciator and a circuit adapted to break said circuit, of an auxiliary circuit in the annunciator adapted to maintainit in the condition created by the second-named cir' cuit, substantially as described.

29. In a time controlled system of the character described, the combination with an annuneiator, a circuit through the annunciator and a circuit adapted to break said circuit, of an auxiliary circuit in the annunciator adapted to maintain it in the condition created by the second-named circuit, and means to make and break the last named circuit, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof we aflix our signatures in presence of two witnesses.

JAMES IV. IVILSON. \VILLIAM H. STILL. itnesses ELEANOR T. DE GIoReI, HENRY M. Lovn.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. 

